Variable-Frequency Acoustic Pest Control in Air Conditioners

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioners operating in high temperature and humidity environments, conducive to insect pest habitats, lack effective methods for efficiently exterminating insects like mosquitoes and flies, and existing solutions are complex and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner equipped with an insect-pest exterminating device that outputs a sequence of sound wave signals with varying frequencies, using a controller, amplifier, and output unit to efficiently repel insects by converting pulse signals into sound waves, eliminating their tolerance to these signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single frequency sound wave signal is used for insect pest extermination, then the device structure is simple, but insect pests develop tolerance to the signal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal generation structureVSAvoidextermination effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frequency switching by sequentially outputting multiple sound wave signals with different frequencies (first through fifth signals) instead of using a fixed single frequency. This dynamic approach prevents insect pests from developing tolerance to a constant frequency signal, thereby maintaining extermination effectiveness while using a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action by sequentially outputting multiple sound wave signals in a repeating cycle. The controller outputs the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sound wave signals in sequence, creating a periodic pattern that continuously varies the frequency exposure for insect pests, preventing them from adapting to a single frequency while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If multiple sound wave signals with different frequencies are output simultaneously, then extermination efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextermination efficiencyVSAvoidsignal output structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves improved extermination efficiency through periodic action by sequentially outputting multiple sound wave signals with different frequencies in a repeating cycle. This sequential periodic output provides the benefits of multiple frequencies for enhanced extermination effectiveness while avoiding the complexity of simultaneous multi-frequency generation, as only one frequency is active at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic frequency switching to achieve high extermination efficiency. The controller dynamically switches between different frequencies (first through fifth signals) in sequence, providing the extermination benefits of multiple frequencies without requiring complex simultaneous multi-frequency generation hardware. The dynamic switching approach maintains productivity while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If high frequency sound wave signals are continuously output, then extermination effectiveness is maintained, but heat generation in the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal effectivenessVSAvoiddevice heat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses heat generation issues through periodic action by sequentially outputting multiple sound wave signals with different frequencies rather than continuously outputting high-frequency signals. This periodic variation in frequency output allows the device to maintain extermination effectiveness while reducing continuous thermal load on the speaker and other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the frequency parameter of the sound wave signals in sequence. Instead of maintaining a constant high frequency that generates excessive heat, the system changes the frequency parameter between the first through fifth signals, thereby maintaining extermination effectiveness while reducing thermal accumulation in the device components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The air conditioner effectively exterminates insect pests by sequentially outputting sound waves of different frequencies, improving extermination efficiency and ease of implementation, while allowing for flexible frequency adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

an output unit for converting the pulses signals whose level is amplified into a plurality of sound wave signals and outputting the same

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2425184B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2425184B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2425184B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2425184B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

An air conditioner includes: an indoor unit main body having an air inlet for drawing room air and an air outlet for discharging conditioned air; and an insect-pest exterminating device attached to the indoor unit main body, and for exterminating insect pests, the insect-pest exterminating device: including an insect-pest exterminating device controller for outputting a plurality of pulse signals; an amplifier for amplifying the level of the pulse signals; and an output unit for converting the pulses signals whose level is amplified into a plurality of sound wave signals and outputting the same. Accordingly, insect-pests can be efficiently exterminated.